A new program launches Friday that's designed to eliminate barriers to accessing supportive services for Hamilton County residents, including those with criminal convictions.
A one-stop resource centerwill be setup from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the lobby of the Hamilton County Justice Center in Downtown Cincinnati. The goal is to make several services available in one location.
Hamilton County Director of Reentry Trina Jackson said it's being held at the jail for prevention efforts.
"You know if we can help people that maybe are on probation, and one of the conditions, or some of the conditions, of their probation is to actually connect with some of these providers that will help us I believe, and help them with recidivism," Jackson said. "You know, if they're able to meet the conditions of their probation by connecting with Jobs and Family Services, then that's a success for us."
Jackson said they're asking participating providers to have services available, not just information.
"So that service would either be setting up an appointment, scheduling some more engagement-type activities with that provider," Jackson said. "Maybe somebody comes in that day and they say they want to get clean, they want to get off drugs that day. We have the ability through our partners to get them to treatment immediately."
Services that will be available Friday at the one-stop include:
- Birth certificates
- State issued identification
- Addiction services
- Mental health care
- Child support modification
- Housing
- Record sealing
- Expungement
- Health care
- Recovery housing
- Syringe exchange
- Homelessness
Jackson said providers will be surveyed following the October one-stop.
"So we're asking them, if people show up for their first appointment, or if they are actively engaged with that organization," Jackson said. "That's our first indicator of success."
The one-stop resource center will operate again on Oct. 25. It will not be available in November and December because of the holidays. After that break it will be held on the final Friday of each month.
